Cheating Allegations Rock LPGA

Two players who were disqualified from the CN Canadian Women’s Open have been accused of conspiring to cheat. The allegations were made by longtime Tour caddie Larry Smich, who said that Shi Hyun Ahn and Il Mi Chung tried to cover up playing the wrong balls on the last hole on Thursday. Here’s what he wrote in his blog:

Here is what I’ve heard of the alleged incident. Both balls were in the fairway. Ahn missed the green and Ilmi hit hers on. Ahn chipped it close and tapped in for par. This is where it all begins. Apparently, Ahn noticed that this was not her ball and conversed in Korean with Ilmi. In the mean time, at least one caddie in the group noticed it also but did not say anything. They finished the hole, went to the scoring tent, checked the scores and signed their cards. Somewhere, either before or after going to the tent, Ahn told her caddie (a Nationwide looper and only working for her this week) “You did not see anything”. As of right now, I do not know who owned up and went to the officials. The third player in the group was oblivious to the situation and was not involved. BTW, Ahn shot 72 and Chung a 76.

An LPGA Tour spokesman said the two players sought out a Rules Official once they realized their mistake and there was no indication of any cheating. Both players were disqualified.

I tried to catch up to Smich today – he caddies for Stephanie Loudon – but she had her husband on the bag for the weekend. She told me she doesn’t get the opportunity to have her husband haul for her so she gave Smich the weekend off. She also said she hadn’t seen his blog and knew nothing of the allegations.

Smich’s story is different from what was told to reporters. The story we got was that the two players didn’t notice they were playing the wrong ball until they went to sign balls to give to the volunteers who’d been walking with their group. After noticing that, they admitted to the violation and sought out the official.

If Smich’s story is true the only part I have trouble with is what or who led to them turning themselves in?

This isn’t the first time I’ve heard allegations of cheating on the LPGA Tour. I remember several years ago when there were stories of parents standing behind greens to provide a line for the golfers to aim at on approach shots. I don’t recall anything coming of it but it didn’t go away for some time.

Two players who were disqualified from the CN Canadian Women’s Open have been accused of conspiring to cheat. The allegations were made by longtime Tour caddie Larry Smich, who said that Shi Hyun Ahn and Il Mi Chung tried to cover up playing the wrong balls on the last hole on Thursday.

Here is what I’ve heard of the alleged incident. Both balls were in the fairway. Ahn missed the green and Ilmi hit hers on. Ahn chipped it close and tapped in for par. This is where it all begins. Apparently, Ahn noticed that this was not her ball and conversed in Korean with Ilmi. In the mean time, at least one caddie in the group noticed it also but did not say anything. They finished the hole, went to the scoring tent, checked the scores and signed their cards. Somewhere, either before or after going to the tent, Ahn told her caddie (a Nationwide looper and only working for her this week) “You did not see anything”. As of right now, I do not know who owned up and went to the officials. The third player in the group was oblivious to the situation and was not involved. BTW, Ahn shot 72 and Chung a 76.

Ryan Ballangee, over at Waggle Room, originally tipped me off to this thanks to his tweet. He has a view of the situation too.

An LPGA Tour spokesman here in Winnipeg said the two players sought out a Rules Official once they realized their mistake and there was no indication of any cheating. Both players were disqualified.

I tried to catch up to Smich today – he caddies for Stephanie Loudon – but she had her husband on the bag for the weekend. She told me she doesn’t get the opportunity to have her husband haul for her so she gave Smich the weekend off. She also said she hadn’t seen his blog and knew nothing of the allegations.

Smich’s story is different from what was told to reporters. The story we got was that the two players hit their balls in the rough, not the fairway, and didn’t notice they were playing the wrong ball until they went to sign balls to give to the volunteers who’d been walking with their group. After noticing that, they admitted to the violation and sought out the official.

If Smich’s story is true the only part I have trouble with is what or who led to them turning themselves in?

This isn’t the first time I’ve heard allegations of cheating on the LPGA Tour. I remember several years ago when there were stories of parents standing behind greens to provide a line for the golfers to aim at on approach shots. I don’t recall anything coming of it but it didn’t go away for some time.